Best Colleges in Washington (2026)
88 colleges ranked by graduate earnings, acceptance rates, and outcomes — powered by federal data from the U.S. Department of Education.
88
Colleges
$49,225
Avg Earnings (10yr)
$17,663
Avg Net Price
76%
Avg Admit Rate
46%
Avg Grad Rate
State Overview
Washington is home to 88 colleges and universities, ranging from research universities to community colleges. Gonzaga University leads the state in graduate earnings, with state alumni earning $49,225 on average ten years after enrollment. Whether you're looking for a flagship research university, a liberal arts college, or a career-focused program, Washington offers diverse options across all price points.
Quick Facts — Washington Colleges
Top 10 Colleges in Washington by Graduate Earnings
Ranked by median earnings 10 years after enrollment. Public and private nonprofit only.
2
University of Washington-Bothell Campus
Bothell·Public
Admit
91%
Net Price
$12,319
Grad Rate
65%
Earnings
$78,466
3
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle·Public
Admit
39%
Net Price
$14,091
Grad Rate
85%
Earnings
$78,466
4
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
Tacoma·Public
Admit
83%
Net Price
$10,163
Grad Rate
63%
Earnings
$78,466
6
University of Puget Sound
Tacoma·Private Nonprofit
Admit
72%
Net Price
$38,394
Grad Rate
68%
Earnings
$69,594
10
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma·Private Nonprofit
Admit
78%
Net Price
$19,589
Grad Rate
69%
Earnings
$66,990
Most Affordable Colleges in Washington
Lowest average net price after grants and scholarships. Public and private nonprofit only.
Popular Majors
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Find my Washington collegeAll Colleges in Washington
All 88 accredited institutions. Click column headers to sort.
| School | City | Type | Admit Rate | Net Price | Grad Rate | Earnings (10yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy of Interactive Entertainment | Seattle | Private Nonprofit | 42% | $34,626 | N/A | N/A |
| Antioch University-Seattle | Seattle | Private Nonprofit | N/A | N/A | N/A | $51,541 |
| Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Seattle | Seattle | Private For-Profit | N/A | $23,787 | N/A | $32,491 |
| Aveda Institute Portland-Vancouver Campus | Vancouver | Private For-Profit | N/A | N/A | N/A | $33,003 |
| Bastyr University | Kenmore | Private Nonprofit | N/A | N/A | N/A | $49,364 |
| Bates Technical College | Tacoma | Public | N/A | $6,292 | 43% | $50,051 |
| Bellevue College | Bellevue | Public | N/A | $11,430 | 36% | $56,310 |
| Bellingham Technical College | Bellingham | Public | N/A | $5,997 | 42% | $49,748 |
| Big Bend Community College | Moses Lake | Public | N/A | $12,210 | 42% | $43,814 |
| Carrington College-Spokane | Spokane | Private For-Profit | N/A | $42,335 | N/A | $36,625 |
| Cascadia College | Bothell | Public | N/A | $12,281 | 32% | $54,133 |
| Central Washington University | Ellensburg | Public | 91% | $18,476 | 54% | $61,580 |
| Centralia Beauty College | Centralia | Private For-Profit | N/A | $10,447 | N/A | N/A |
| Centralia College | Centralia | Public | N/A | $9,862 | 42% | $43,140 |
| City University of Seattle | Seattle | Private Nonprofit | N/A | N/A | N/A | $69,460 |
| Clark College | Vancouver | Public | N/A | $11,465 | 39% | $42,356 |
| Clover Park Technical College | Lakewood | Public | N/A | $9,864 | 43% | $41,787 |
| Columbia Basin College | Pasco | Public | N/A | $8,317 | 33% | $46,680 |
| DigiPen Institute of Technology | Redmond | Private For-Profit | 64% | $44,446 | 61% | $79,878 |
| Divers Institute of Technology | Seattle | Private For-Profit | N/A | $39,337 | N/A | $62,489 |
| Eastern Washington University | Cheney | Public | 91% | $13,886 | 43% | $57,897 |
| Edmonds College | Lynnwood | Public | N/A | $11,010 | 29% | $48,144 |
| Elite Cosmetology Barber & Spa Academy | Yakima | Private For-Profit | N/A | $14,513 | N/A | N/A |
| Everett Community College | Everett | Public | N/A | $10,684 | 37% | $45,434 |
| Evergreen Beauty and Barber College-Everett | Everett | Private For-Profit | N/A | $14,149 | N/A | $26,872 |
| Faith International University | Tacoma | Private Nonprofit | N/A | $22,662 | 25% | $51,006 |
| Gonzaga University | Spokane | Private Nonprofit | 82% | $35,119 | 86% | $78,892 |
| Grays Harbor College | Aberdeen | Public | N/A | $4,783 | 39% | $40,865 |
| Great Northern University | Spokane | Private Nonprofit | 100% | $21,029 | 50% | N/A |
| Green River College | Auburn | Public | N/A | $13,803 | 39% | $50,712 |
| Heritage University | Toppenish | Private Nonprofit | N/A | $14,598 | 54% | $49,416 |
| Highline College | Des Moines | Public | N/A | $9,879 | 35% | $47,869 |
| International Beauty Education Center | Spokane | Private For-Profit | N/A | $17,415 | N/A | N/A |
| Lake Washington Institute of Technology | Kirkland | Public | N/A | $6,817 | 37% | $50,669 |
| Lower Columbia College | Longview | Public | N/A | $7,630 | 23% | $40,691 |
| North Seattle College | Seattle | Public | N/A | $10,740 | 33% | $47,728 |
| Northwest College of Art & Design | Tacoma | Private For-Profit | 66% | $16,418 | 58% | $31,167 |
| Northwest HVAC/R Training Center | Spokane | Private Nonprofit | N/A | $15,590 | N/A | $60,551 |
| Northwest Indian College | Bellingham | Public | N/A | $3,136 | 18% | $35,447 |
| Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building | Port Hadlock | Private Nonprofit | N/A | $32,033 | N/A | N/A |
| Northwest University | Kirkland | Private Nonprofit | 83% | $22,288 | 71% | $54,914 |
| Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education | Kirkland | Private Nonprofit | N/A | $35,671 | 50% | $54,914 |
| Olympic College | Bremerton | Public | N/A | $7,172 | 31% | $43,169 |
| Pacific Lutheran University | Tacoma | Private Nonprofit | 78% | $19,589 | 69% | $66,990 |
| Pacific Northwest Christian College | Kennewick | Private Nonprofit | N/A | $10,041 | N/A | N/A |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Federal Way | Federal Way | Private For-Profit | N/A | $13,711 | N/A | $31,123 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Richland | Richland | Private For-Profit | N/A | $26,617 | N/A | $27,407 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Spokane | Spokane Valley | Private For-Profit | N/A | $22,646 | N/A | $27,209 |
| Peninsula College | Port Angeles | Public | N/A | $9,246 | 37% | $37,078 |
| Perry Technical Institute | Yakima | Private Nonprofit | N/A | $20,047 | N/A | $57,764 |
| Pierce College District | Lakewood | Public | N/A | $10,222 | 31% | $47,532 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Renton | Renton | Private For-Profit | N/A | $31,578 | N/A | $38,673 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Seattle | Seattle | Private For-Profit | N/A | $31,016 | N/A | $38,673 |
| Renton Technical College | Renton | Public | N/A | $8,296 | 46% | $49,782 |
| Saint Martin's University | Lacey | Private Nonprofit | 90% | $28,119 | 52% | $62,092 |
| Seattle Central College | Seattle | Public | N/A | $8,819 | 32% | $43,307 |
| Seattle Film Institute | Seattle | Private For-Profit | N/A | $41,595 | 57% | N/A |
| Seattle Pacific University | Seattle | Private Nonprofit | 83% | $24,488 | 62% | $64,506 |
| Seattle University | Seattle | Private Nonprofit | 77% | $34,662 | 76% | $75,272 |
| Shoreline College | Shoreline | Public | N/A | $8,585 | 29% | $52,009 |
| Skagit Valley College | Mount Vernon | Public | N/A | $6,064 | 36% | $43,505 |
| South Puget Sound Community College | Olympia | Public | N/A | $9,132 | 44% | $45,039 |
| South Seattle College | Seattle | Public | N/A | $6,004 | 31% | $44,486 |
| Spokane Community College | Spokane | Public | N/A | $5,473 | 33% | $41,984 |
| Spokane Falls Community College | Spokane | Public | N/A | $7,409 | 32% | $38,955 |
| Studio Beauty School | Spokane Valley | Private For-Profit | N/A | $18,911 | N/A | N/A |
| Stylemaster College of Hair Design | Longview | Private For-Profit | N/A | $6,773 | N/A | $20,580 |
| Summit Salon Academy | Tacoma | Private For-Profit | N/A | $25,471 | N/A | $31,648 |
| Tacoma Community College | Tacoma | Public | N/A | $8,376 | 32% | $47,168 |
| The Evergreen State College | Olympia | Public | 96% | $24,319 | 41% | $45,320 |
| Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Shoreline | Shoreline | Private For-Profit | N/A | $20,286 | N/A | $29,827 |
| UEI College-Tacoma | Tacoma | Private For-Profit | N/A | $36,850 | N/A | $30,848 |
| University of Puget Sound | Tacoma | Private Nonprofit | 72% | $38,394 | 68% | $69,594 |
| University of Washington-Bothell Campus | Bothell | Public | 91% | $12,319 | 65% | $78,466 |
| University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle | Public | 39% | $14,091 | 85% | $78,466 |
| University of Washington-Tacoma Campus | Tacoma | Public | 83% | $10,163 | 63% | $78,466 |
| Victoria's Academy of Cosmetology | Kennewick | Private For-Profit | N/A | $22,095 | N/A | $24,668 |
| Walla Walla Community College | Walla Walla | Public | N/A | $9,406 | 38% | $43,526 |
| Walla Walla University | College Place | Private Nonprofit | N/A | $23,329 | 60% | $61,885 |
| Washington State University | Pullman | Public | 87% | $14,971 | 61% | $68,905 |
| Wenatchee Valley College | Wenatchee | Public | N/A | $9,722 | 43% | $41,127 |
| Western Washington University | Bellingham | Public | 93% | $21,193 | 65% | $62,569 |
| Whatcom Community College | Bellingham | Public | N/A | $11,795 | 36% | $44,092 |
| Whitman College | Walla Walla | Private Nonprofit | 38% | $33,313 | 81% | $67,589 |
| Whitworth University | Spokane | Private Nonprofit | 90% | $26,534 | 71% | $58,561 |
| Whitworth University-Adult Degree Programs | Spokane | Private Nonprofit | 29% | N/A | N/A | $58,561 |
| Yakima Valley College | Yakima | Public | N/A | $11,843 | 29% | $43,499 |
| Zorganics Institute of Beauty and Wellness | Bellingham | Private For-Profit | N/A | $20,354 | N/A | N/A |
Showing 88 of 88 schools